An NBA trade idea sending Austin Reaves from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Miami Heat has been created.
NBA writer Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report created the following blockbuster trade idea:
Utah Jazz get: Terry Rozier, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, a 2026 first-round pick from L.A., a 2031 first-round pick from L.A. and a 2031 first-round pick from Miami
Los Angeles Lakers get: Lauri Markkanen
Miami Heat get: Austin Reaves and Svi Mykhailiuk
Reaves averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks in 73 games last season while shooting 46.0% from the field, 37.7% from beyond the arc and 87.7% from the free-throw line. He was the Lakers’ third-leading scorer behind superstars Luka Dončić and LeBron James.
The Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games, while the Heat lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round in four games.
“There is some risk in the deal, beyond just giving up a first-rounder. Reaves is almost certain to decline his $14.9 million player option for 2026-27. But having him in the system for a year could give the Heat the inside track on re-signing him,” Bailey wrote.
This NBA trade idea would pair Reaves with Heat All-Stars Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra could start Reaves, Herro, Andrew Wiggins, Adebayo and Kel’el Ware.
Reaves, 27, has career averages of 14.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Lakers. The undrafted guard will make $13.9 million in 2025-26. He signed a four-year, $53.8 million contract with the Lakers in July 2023.
A talented scorer, shooter and passer, Reaves is expected to decline his 2026-27 player option with the Lakers, worth $14.9 million, so he can sign a new contract worth more money.